Beware of the Blandford beastie!!

Have you read about this rather devious beastie that lurks in our lawns or nearby? Well I am nursing a rather nasty bite to my leg, cannot possibly show you photos as it is in a very awkward place! However I was bitten on Monday evening, I had been busy as we have had one of our conifers (five to go!) cut down by at least three quarters of its enourmous height and had to get cracking to start to clear it away. Well I dont like to waste time so I was clearing under the tree in very dry conditions lots of rotten wood and twigs and I was walking back and forth to the house, doing allsorts it was early evening by this time. I felt something on my leg and just brushed it away and thought nothing of it, until the next day when I realised I had been bitten I immediately sprayed the bite, a small red patch at that point and went about my duties as usual, only to read about this ‘fly’ in the daily papers. It said there has been a 50% rise in hospital admissions for insect bites this June alone. Well if you could see my leg today, two days later, the bite has become about 8" long by 6" wide and the centre looks like a throbbing damson, purple in colour, swollen and painful. Luckily mine hasnt blistered as it says it might and that if it did you would have to keep it clean for more than a week!
Mind you the remedy in the paper says, have a ‘Blandford fly’ beer because there is an enzyme in the ginger that reduces fever and swelling and this ingredient is in the ale!!
So Cheers everyone! I dont drink so will make do with a cuppa and maybe a ‘ginger’ biscuit might help!
Take care in your gardens, there are beasties about!

Comments

So sorry to hear this,Grandmage..you really should see your GP,or visit A&E ,if it doesn't improve..I know we all think 'It will pass' but please take care..I don't drink either,but if I thought it would help,I'd have a crate full !! Lol.

Hi all, I slept for England last night and never heard a thing til quite late this morning, either it is this bite or the effects of the anti-hist, not sure but still feel dopey today, thanks all for your kind advice, the bite is larger today but not enflamed anymore just this massive red area with purple centre! Alextb, didnt know about the 2cm rule, mine is about 22cm Lol. That feeling of heat is still there but I keep thinking (Bloomer!) that it will be alright and I dont want to bother anyone. We went to the GC for a trip, lovely day today, and I came home with some new plants, so that has cheered me up, just got to plant them now! Lol. Keep safe and many thanks for your kindness. x

Hope it is on the mend,Grandmage..just be careful out there,planting your new ones out..you are a glutton for punishment,aren't you? Lol.Keep those legs covered..not that they won't be a nice pair of legs..but you don't want a matching pair,do you ??.:o)))))))

Thanks Sheila,Bloomer & Cristina, it is definitely subsiding now I am glad to say, but boy it was a biggen!! Bloomer I will keep my legs covered, I even thought of buying bicycle clips to put round my trousers!! Lol. I also got loads of bulbs today as well, but wont plant those yet, i am scared to go out. I am on the mend now, honestly. Thanks for caring. x

Hi Grandma . . . I've come out in sympathy! But my bite is not as big as yours - "just" a 3" x 4" swollen, red, madly itching patch on my upper arm - felt a prick yesterday (ha ha), but couldn't see the culprit. It managed two bites on the back of my knee too, so the anti-histamine is coming into its own. :))

Oh Sheila they are little devils arent they? Hope you are Ok. Once its done there is nothing to do except get sympathy from all around! Hubby has been marvellous. Have you got some anthisan cream that can help as you can put it on as many times as you like, unlike the others where you are limited to usage. Hope you get better soon. Little B's.!! :~)

Sorry you have been bitten as well,Sheila..and also sorry I smiled..not at your misfortune,but the thought of you having an itch,and daren't scratch it !...That is just the worst thing,isn't it ? You will have to keep excusing yourself,and nip to the loo...:o)

Thanks Bloomer . . . luckily the Anthisan did the trick! We had a brilliant time - remember Christopher Biggins? - he was at our local theatre where he "opened" our new Youth Wing . . . a laugh a minute, and the alcohol did me good, lol!